La Pérouse Monument


A lava rock monument honoring French explorer Jean Francois de Galaup La Pérouse marks the entrance to La Perouse Bay. La Perouse, who arrived in 1786, was the first Westerner to land on Maui.


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1. ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu Natural Area Reserve

1.5 MILES

Although scientists haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact date, Maui’s last lava flow probably spilled down to the sea here between 1480 and 1600 CE,…

3. Kanaio Beach

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Remote beach near old lava flows along the Hoapili Trail.

4. Secret Cove

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This lovely, postcard-size swath of sand, with a straight-on view of Kahoʻolawe island, is worth a peek – although it’s no longer much of a secret. The…

5. Makena State Park

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Makena State Park should be high on every traveler’s itinerary. Its crowning glory, Big Beach, is the scene that people conjure up when they dream of a…

6. Big Beach

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The crowning glory of Makena State Park, this untouched beach is arguably the finest on Maui. In Hawaiian it’s called Oneloa, literally ‘Long Sand.’ And…

7. Little Beach

3.14 MILES

Those folks with the coolers and umbrellas, walking north from the sandy entrance to Big Beach? They’re heading to Little Beach, which is part of Makena…

8. Maluʻaka Beach

3.51 MILES

Dubbed ‘Turtle Beach,’ this golden swath of sand behind the closed Makena Beach & Golf Resort is popular with snorkelers and kayakers hoping to glimpse…